Lining for a haul truck body, a transition lining element and a method for fastening a lining

ABSTRACT

The disclosure relates to a lining for a haul truck body, said lining comprising a plurality of main lining elements arranged to extend over main surfaces of said haul truck body, and a plurality of transition lining elements arranged to extend over edge and/or corner portions of the haul truck body, wherein each transition lining element forms a lining transition between at least two non-parallel main lining elements of said plurality of main lining elements, and wherein said plurality of transition lining elements comprises at least one non-linear transition lining element which has a first and a second leg portion extending in non-parallel first and second leg directions, respectively. The disclosure further relates to a transition lining element for a haul truck body and a method for assembling a lining.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of prior U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/623,643, filed Dec. 17, 2019 and now issued asU.S. Pat. No. 11,485,295, which is the U.S. national stage applicationof International Application PCT/EP2018/066645, filed Jun. 21, 2018,which international application was published on Dec. 27, 2018, asInternational Publication WO 2018/234490 A1 in the English language. TheInternational Application claims priority of European Patent ApplicationNo. 17177444.1 filed Jun. 22, 2017.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a lining for a haul truck body and atransition lining element for use in a haul truck body. The disclosurefurther relates to a method for fastening a lining for a haul truckbody.

BACKGROUND

Haul trucks are off-highway dump trucks engineered for use inhigh-production mining and heavy-duty construction environments. Thehaul trucks are equipped with haul truck bodies capable of accommodatinga large amount of material, such as rock, crushed ore or the like. Haultruck capacities range from 40 short tons (36 t) to 496 short tons.Hauling such masses of often sharp and heavy load makes the haul truckbody experiencing a heavy wear due to impact and abrasion.

To protect the surface of the haul truck body, it is common to equip theinterior if the haul truck body with a lining. Whereas the haul truckbody usually is made from steel, the lining material is often made fromanother material. One commonly used type of lining is an elastic liningcomprising for example a rubber material or polyurethane. An advantageof the elastic lining material is that its material properties may beused to mitigate the effects of heavy impact of material on the haultruck body as material is hauled from quite some altitude onto the haultruck body from for example an excavator. The elastic lining materialeffectively absorbs the energy from the impact distributing said energyover a larger area. Moreover, the noise is reduced and the comfort forthe operator improved. Lining for haul trucks are usually made from aplurality of lining elements extending over surfaces of the haul truckbody to form the lining. The separate lining elements simplifiesmanufacture by limiting its dimensions and mass. Moreover, itfacilitates service of the haul truck body, as individual damaged orworn-out lining elements may be exchanged directly on site withouthaving to remove large parts of the surrounding lining.

A problem with such a lining for a haul truck body is that materialtends to find its way down through the openings between adjacent liningelements. Once there, the material may create further damage to thelining by exposing the fastening elements to wear. Moreover, the trappedmaterial increases the carry-back, i.e. the amount of material which isprevented from leaving the haul truck body during prolonged operation.Carry-back is unwanted as it prevents equipment from performing at fullcapacity and when the piece of equipment is associated directly withproduction, maximum possible throughout is compromised. Secondaryeffects of carry-back include higher maintenance costs due to quickermaterial wear and extra downtime required to clean equipment.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In the light of the above, it is an object of the present disclosure tomitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identifieddeficiencies in the art and disadvantages singly or in any combinationand solve at least the above mentioned problem.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a lining for a haul truckbody, said lining comprising a plurality of main lining elementsarranged to extend over main surfaces of said haul truck body, and aplurality of transition lining elements arranged to extend over edgeand/or corner portions of the haul truck body, each transition liningelement forming a lining transition between non-parallel main liningelements of said plurality of main lining elements;

wherein said plurality of transition lining elements comprises at leastone non-linear transition lining element which has a first and a secondleg portion extending in non-parallel first and second leg directions,respectively, said first leg portion forming a first lining transitionbetween a first pair of non-parallel main lining elements, and saidsecond leg portion forming a second lining transition between a secondpair of non-parallel main lining elements; and

wherein three main lining elements of said first pair and said secondpair of main lining elements are all non-parallel to each other.

Thus, in other words, there is provided a lining for a haul truck body,said lining comprising a plurality of main lining elements arranged toextend over main surfaces of said haul truck body, and a plurality oftransition lining elements arranged to extend over edge and/or cornerportions of the haul truck body, wherein each transition lining elementforms a lining transition between at least two non-parallel main liningelements of said plurality of main lining elements, and wherein saidplurality of transition lining elements comprises at least onenon-linear transition lining element which has a first and a second legportion extending in non-parallel first and second leg directions,respectively.

The lining presents at least the following advantages:

When a transition lining element of the lining is disposed in a corneror along wedged portions of the haul truck body, the transition liningelement may prevent or at least substantially reduce the occurrence of agap in a lining close to the corner or wedged portion. This may reducethe risk of material present within the haul truck body to penetratethrough the gap entering a space beneath the lining elements, whichincreases the risk of damage to the lining and increases the carry-back.

The non-linear transition lining element may be designed such as to fitin a corner portion or a wedged portion of a specific haul truck body.The use of such a transition lining element thus decreases thecomplexity of installing a lining to a haul truck body, as a singleelement may replace two or more separate conventional lining elements.

The use of transition lining elements allows for forming a uniformlining transition between main lining elements of different thicknesses.For example, transition lining elements may be used to form a smoothtransition between a 15 cm thick lining on the bottom of the haul truckbody to a 10 cm thick lining on a side wall of the haul truck body.Thus, the transition lining elements makes it possible to avoid formingrecesses and/or edges within the lining where main lining elements ofdifferent thickness meet each other. Said recesses and/or edges areunwanted as they may result in material getting stuck, and subsequentlypenetrating through the gap between the main lining elements forming therecess and/or edge.

According to some embodiments, the main lining elements form a bottomlining, a front lining and two opposite side linings, wherein said atleast one non-linear transition lining element comprises at least onecorner lining element forming a lining transition between threenon-parallel main lining elements which are located at a corner of saidlining and which form part of the bottom lining, the front lining andone of the two opposite side linings, respectively.

According to some embodiments, said plurality of main lining elementsform a bottom lining, a front lining and two opposite side linings,wherein said three non-parallel main lining elements of the first pairand the second pair of main lining elements are located at a corner ofsaid lining so as to form part of the bottom lining, the front liningand one of the two opposite side linings, respectively, and wherein saidat least one non-linear transition lining element comprises at least onecorner lining element forming said first and second lining transitionsbetween said three non-parallel main lining elements.

According to some embodiments, the corner lining element furtherpresents a third leg portion extending in a third leg directiondifferent from said first and second leg directions, and wherein eachone of said first, second and third leg portions extends from saidcorner to an adjacent transition lining element of said plurality oftransition lining elements. The third leg portion may be advantageous asit allows for the corner lining element to protect the corner from allsides. In other words, there will be no gap in the lining providing adirect access for material to the corner. Furthermore, the corner liningelement may be designed such as to avoid forming a gap close to an edgeformed between different portions of the lining.

According to some embodiments, the corner lining element furtherpresents a third leg portion extending in a third leg directiondifferent from said first and second leg directions, wherein the thirdleg portion forms a third lining transition between a third pair ofnon-parallel main lining elements, wherein three main lining elements ofthe first, second and third pairs of main lining elements are allnon-parallel with each other, and wherein each one of said first, secondand third leg portions extends from said corner to an adjacenttransition lining element of said plurality of transition liningelements.

It is understood that the at least one non-linear transition liningelement forms at least two lining transitions between main liningelements of the first and second pairs of main lining elements. The atleast two lining transitions are formed along a respective transitiondirection. The transition lining element may have two leg portions, i.e.the first and second leg portions. In such a case, the transition liningelement forms two lining transitions, i.e. the first and second liningtransitions. The first lining transition is formed along a firsttransition direction between the first pair of non-parallel main liningelements, and the second lining transition is formed along a secondtransition direction between the second pair of non-parallel main liningelements. The first transition direction is different from the secondtransition direction. The first lining transition is formed over/by thefirst leg portion, and the second lining transition is formed over/bythe second leg portion.

In case the transition lining element has a third leg portion, which maybe the case if the element is a corner element, the transition liningelement forms three lining transitions. In addition to the first andsecond lining transitions, a third lining transition is formed along athird transition direction between the third pair of non-parallel mainlining elements. The third transition direction is different from eachone of the first and second transition directions. Each liningtransition is formed over/by a respective leg portion of the transitionlining element.

The lining transitions are formed between main lining elements of thelining. Each lining transition is formed between a pair of main liningelements. The main lining elements of each pair of main lining elementsare disposed on opposite sides of the respective leg portion. Thus, atleast three main lining elements are required to form the liningtransitions, either being it two lining transitions over two legportions, or three lining transitions over three leg portions. Thus, itis understood that each pair of main lining elements, such as the firstpair and second pair of main lining elements, may have one main liningelement in common.

It is further understood that, in use of a non-linear transition liningelement, the first leg direction, the second leg direction (and in caseof at least some corner lining elements: also the third leg direction)are all aligned along respective edges of the haul truck body. Thus, theleg portions forms transitions between bottom, side and front linings,respectively.

According to some embodiments, the plurality of main lining elementsform a bottom lining, a front lining and two opposite side linings, saidbottom lining presenting non-parallel first and second mutually inclinedbottom lining portions, and wherein said at least one non-lineartransition lining element comprises a wedge lining element forms liningtransitions between the three non-parallel main lining elements whichare located at a wedge area of said lining and which form part of thefront lining, the first bottom lining portion and the second bottomlining portion, respectively. The wedge lining element may beadvantageous as it allows for protecting the wedge area from all sides.In other words, there will be no gap in the lining providing a directaccess for material to the wedged area.

According to some embodiments, the non-parallel first and second legdirections extend in a common plane parallel to the front lining.

According to some embodiments, at least some of said plurality oftransition lining elements present a concave surface facing an interiorof the haul truck body. The concave surface may be substantiallycylindrical along a respective main surface portion. The concavesurfaces may be advantageous as they may prevent material to stick tothe edges of the haul truck body, and thus aids in reducing thecarry-back problem.

According to some embodiments, at least one transition lining element ofsaid plurality of transition lining elements forms a transition betweenat least two non-parallel main lining elements having differentthicknesses at their interfaces with the transition lining element,wherein said at least one transition lining element presentscorresponding different thicknesses at the interfaces for providingsmooth lining transitions at said interfaces. The different thicknessesmay be advantageous as it allows forming a smooth surface of the liningalso when using main lining elements of different thickness.

According to some embodiments, at least some of said plurality oftransition lining elements comprise through holes arranged for allowingfastening of the at least one transition lining element to a surface ofthe haul truck body.

According to some embodiments, at least some of said plurality oftransition lining elements comprise an elastic material, such as theelastic material is rubber or polyurethane.

According to some embodiments, the elastic material comprises rubber orpolyurethane.

According to some embodiments, at least some of said plurality oftransition lining elements comprise a structural element arranged toreinforce the transition lining element. The structural element maycomprise a steel backing plate completely or partly embedded in thetransition lining element. The structural element may be advantageous asit allows for increasing the structural integrity of the transitionlining elements. Also, it may improve the fastening of the transitionlining element to the haul truck body.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a lining for a haultruck body, said lining comprising:

a plurality of main lining elements arranged to extend over mainsurfaces of said haul truck body, wherein said main surfaces comprises abottom surface, a front surface and two opposite side surfaces, andwherein said plurality of main lining elements form at least a bottomlining extending over said bottom surface, and

a plurality of transition lining elements arranged to extend over edgeand/or corner portions of the haul truck body along the bottom lining,

wherein each transition lining element forms a transition between thebottom lining and at least one of said side surfaces and said frontsurface of the haul truck body; and

wherein said plurality of transition lining elements comprises at leastone non-linear transition lining element which has a first and a secondleg portion extending in non-parallel first and second leg directions,respectively, the first leg portion forming a first lining transitionbetween a first pair of non-parallel main lining elements, and thesecond leg portion forming a second lining transition between a secondpair of non-parallel main lining elements, and

wherein three main lining elements of said first and said second pair ofmain lining elements are all non-parallel with each other.

The second aspect may be considered as an alternative solution to theabove problem, the difference being that the transition lining elementsform a lining transition between, on the one hand, the bottom liningand, on the other hand, at least one of a side surface and a frontsurface of the haul truck body, whereas, according to the first aspect,the transition lining elements form a lining transition between at leasttwo non-parallel main lining elements. Thus, the lining according to thefirst and second aspects protect the same edge and corner portions andshare common essential features. These two aspects may be combined.Furthermore, the inventive concept may be described in an alternativeway: Each transition lining element may form a lining transition betweenat least two non-parallel main surfaces of the haul truck body. Mainlining elements may extend over one or more of said non-parallelsurfaces.

According to a third aspect there is provided a transition liningelement for use in a lining for a haul truck body, said liningcomprising a plurality of main lining elements which in use extend oversurfaces of said haul truck body, wherein said transition lining elementbeing arranged to form a lining transition between adjacent main liningelements of said lining; said transition lining element comprising:

a main surface;

a central portion;

a first leg portion and a second leg portion which extend from thecentral portion in non-parallel first and second leg directions,respectively,

said first leg portion presenting a first end surface which extendstransversely of the first leg direction and connects to the mainsurface, and a first pair of non-parallel side surfaces which extendfrom the central portion to the first end surface and connect to themain surface, and

said second leg portion presenting a second end surface which extendstransversely of the second leg direction and connects to the mainsurface, and a second pair of non-parallel side surfaces which extendfrom the central portion to the second end surface and connect to themain surface; and

said first and second end surfaces being arranged to connect to matchingend surfaces of adjacent transition lining elements extending in saidfirst and second leg direction, respectively, and each one of saidnon-parallel side surfaces being arranged to connect to matchingsurfaces of adjacent main lining elements,

said first and second end surfaces being arranged to connect to matchingend surfaces of adjacent transition lining elements extending in saidfirst and second leg direction, respectively, and each one of saidnon-parallel side surfaces being arranged to connect to matchingsurfaces of adjacent main lining elements,

said first leg portion being arranged to form a first lining transitionin a first transition direction between a first pair of main liningelements connecting to said first pair of non-parallel side surfaces ofthe first leg portion, and

said second leg portion being arranged to form a second liningtransition in a second transition direction, different from said firsttransition direction, between a second pair of main lining elementsconnecting to said second pair of non-parallel side surfaces of thesecond leg portion. The transition lining element presents at least thefollowing advantages:

When a transition lining element is disposed in a corner or along wedgededge portions of a haul truck body, the transition lining element mayprevent or at least substantially reduce the occurrence of a gap in alining close to the corner or wedged portion. This may reduce the riskof material present within the haul truck body to penetrate through agap and thereby entering a space beneath the lining elements, whichincreases the risk of damage to the lining and increases the carry-back.

The non-linear transition lining element may be designed such as to fitin a corner portion or a wedged portion of a specific haul truck body.The use of such a transition lining element thus decreases thecomplexity of installing a lining to a haul truck body, as a singleelement may replace two or more separate conventional lining elements.

The use of transition lining elements allows for forming a uniformlining transition between main lining elements of different thicknesses.For example, transition lining elements may be used to form a smoothtransition between a 15 cm thick lining on the bottom of the haul truckbody to a 10 cm thick lining on a side wall of the haul truck body.Thus, the transition lining elements makes it possible to avoid formingrecesses and/or edges within the lining where main lining elements ofdifferent thickness meet each other. Said recesses and/or edges areunwanted as they may result in material getting stuck, and subsequentlypenetrating through the gap between the main lining elements forming therecess and/or edge.

According to some embodiments, the first end surface of the first legportion and the second end surface of the second leg portion have thesame dimensions.

According to some embodiments, a cross section of the first leg portionis the same as a cross section of the second leg portion, said crosssections being defined orthogonally to the first and second legdirections, respectively.

According to some embodiments, the main surface is at least partlyconcave.

According to some embodiments, the non-parallel side surfaces of atleast one of said first and second leg portions have mutually differentwidths transversely of the leg direction of the associated leg portion.

According to some embodiments, at least some of said non-parallel sidesurfaces connect to the main surface of the transition lining element at90 degrees.

According to some embodiments, the transition lining element furthercomprises a third leg portion which extends from the central portion ina third leg direction, said third leg direction being non-parallel witha plane defined by the first and second leg directions; wherein

the transition lining element is a corner lining element arranged toform a lining transition between a front lining, a side lining and abottom lining portion; wherein:

said third leg portion presents a third end surface which extendstransversely of the third leg direction and connects to the mainsurface, and a third pair of non-parallel side surfaces which extendsfrom the central portion to the third end surface and connects to themain surface,

said third end surface being arranged to connect to a matching endsurface of an adjacent transition lining element extending in said thirdleg direction

said third leg portion being arranged to form a third lining transitionin a third transition direction, different from said first transitiondirection and said second transition direction, between a third pair ofmain lining elements connecting to said third pair of non-parallel sidesurfaces of the third leg portion.

The third leg portion may be advantageous as it allows for the cornerlining element to protect the corner from all sides. In other words,there will be no gap in the lining providing a direct access formaterial to the corner. Furthermore, the corner lining element may bedesigned such as to avoid forming a gap close to an edge formed betweendifferent portions of the lining.

According to some embodiments of a corner lining element, the first legdirection, the second leg direction and the third leg direction formangles in relation to each other being within the angle interval 90-110degrees. Larger angle intervals may be used dependent on the shape ofthe haul truck body.

According to some embodiments of a corner lining element, the mainsurface has a first planar surface which extends over the third legportion and is aligned along the third leg direction.

According to some embodiments of a corner lining element, the mainsurface has a second planar surface which extends over the centralportion and connects to said first planar surface.

According to some embodiments, the transition lining element is a wedgelining element arranged to form a lining transition between a frontlining and two inclined bottom lining portions, wherein:

said first and second leg directions define a common plane; and

a normal of one of the side surfaces of the first leg portion and anormal of one of the side surfaced of the second leg portion areparallel with said common plane.

The wedge lining element may be advantageous as it allows for protectingthe wedge area from all sides. In other words, there will be no gap inthe lining providing a direct access for material to the wedged area.

According to some embodiments of a wedge lining element, the transitionlining element is a wedge lining element arranged to form a liningtransition between a front lining and two inclined bottom liningportions; wherein:

a first side surface of said first leg portion connects to a first sidesurface of said second leg portion; and a second side surface of saidfirst leg portion connects to a second side surface of said second legportion.

According to some embodiments of a wedge lining element, the first legdirection and the second leg direction forms an obtuse angle withrespect to each other. Said obtuse angle may be 150-170 degrees.

According to a fourth aspect there is provided a transition liningelement for use in a lining for a haul truck body, said liningcomprising a plurality of main lining elements which in use extend oversurfaces of said haul truck body and present a thickness transversely tosaid surfaces, wherein said transition lining element being arranged toform a lining transition between adjacent main lining elements of saidlining; said transition lining element extending along a longitudinaldirection, said transition lining element comprising:

a main surface;

a first end surface and a second end surface disposed at opposing endsof the transition lining element, said first and second end surfaceextending transversely of the longitudinal direction and connecting tothe main surface,

a first and a second side surface which extend between the first andsecond end surfaces, respectively, on either side of the main surfaceand connecting to the main surface,

wherein the first side surface is non-parallel with the second sidesurface,

wherein said thickness of the transition lining element is larger atsaid first side surface than at the second side surface; and

wherein, in use of the transition lining element, said first and secondend surfaces being arranged to connect to matching end surfaces ofadjacent transition lining elements extending in said longitudinaldirection, and each one of said first and second side surfaces beingarranged to connect to matching surfaces of adjacent main liningelements.

The transition lining element presents at least the followingadvantages:

When a transition lining element is disposed along edge portions of ahaul truck body, the transition lining element may prevent or at leastsubstantially reduce the occurrence of a gap in a lining close to theedge portion. This may reduce the risk of material present within thehaul truck body to penetrate through a gap and thereby entering a spacebeneath the lining elements, which increases the risk of damage to thelining and increases the carry-back.

The transition lining element may be designed such as to fit in edgeportions of a specific haul truck body. The use of such a transitionlining element thus decreases the complexity of installing a lining to ahaul truck body, as a single element may replace two or more separateconventional lining elements.

The use of transition lining elements allows for forming a uniformlining transition between main lining elements of different thicknesses.For example, transition lining elements may be used to form a smoothtransition between a 15 cm thick lining on the bottom of the haul truckbody to a 10 cm thick lining on a side wall of the haul truck body.Thus, the transition lining elements makes it possible to avoid formingrecesses and/or edges within the lining where main lining elements ofdifferent thickness meet each other. Said recesses and/or edges areunwanted as they may result in material getting stuck, and subsequentlypenetrating through the gap between the main lining elements forming therecess and/or edge.

According to some embodiments, the main surface comprises a concavesurface facing an interior of the haul truck body. The concave surfacemay be substantially cylindrical. The concave surface may beadvantageous as is may prevent material to stick to the edges of thehaul truck body, and thus aids in reducing the carry-back problem.

According to some embodiments, the transition lining element furthercomprises through holes arranged for allowing fastening of thetransition lining element to a surface of the haul truck body.

According to some embodiments, the transition lining element comprisesan elastic material.

According to some embodiments, the elastic material is rubber orpolyurethane.

According to some embodiments, the transition lining element furthercomprises a structural element arranged to reinforce the transitionlining element. The structural element may be advantageous as it allowsfor increasing the structural integrity of the transition liningelements. Also, it may improve the fastening of the transition liningelement to the haul truck body.

According to some embodiments, the structural element comprises a steelbacking plate completely or partly embedded in the transition liningelement.

According to some embodiments, the transition lining element is an edgelining element arranged to form a lining transition between a frontlining and a bottom lining portion or between a side lining and a bottomlining portion of the haul truck body.

According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a method for installing alining for a haul truck body, said lining comprising a plurality of mainlining elements arranged to extend over main surfaces of said haul truckbody, and a plurality of transition lining elements arranged to extendover edge and corner portions of the haul truck body, the methodcomprising:

positioning a pair of corner lining elements, forming part of saidplurality of transition lining elements, at a respective front sidecorner of the haul truck body;

positioning a wedge lining element, forming part of said plurality oftransition lining elements, at a transition area between a front surfaceof the haul truck body and two mutually inclined bottom surface portionsof the haul truck body;

positioning one or more edge lining elements, forming part of saidplurality of transition lining elements, between the corner liningelements and the wedge lining element, such as to form, together withthe wedge lining element, a common transition between the pair of cornerlining elements;

positioning one or more edge lining elements, forming part of saidplurality of transition lining elements, between the corner liningelements and rear ends of the haul truck body.

According to some embodiments, the method further comprises:

positioning the plurality of main lining elements over main surfaces ofthe haul truck body, and

fastening said plurality of main lining elements to the haul truck body,

wherein said positioning of the plurality of main lining elements isperformed, in total or in part, after positioning all the transitionlining elements, such as to geometrically constrain the transitionlining elements by said fastened plurality of main lining elements.

According to some embodiments, the method further comprises:

fastening at least some transition lining elements of said plurality oftransition lining elements to the haul truck body.

It is to be understood that two or more from the method steps may beperformed in a different order with respect to each other than the orderof which they are presented herein, if not explicitly disclosedotherwise.

According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a haul truck bodycomprising one from the list of:

a lining according to the first or second aspects;

one or more transition lining elements according to the third or fourthaspects.

According to a seventh aspect, there is provided a haul truck comprisingthe haul truck body according to the sixth aspect.

The above and other features of the inventive concept and preferredembodiments thereof are set out in the claims and will be describedfurther in detail below.

Terminology

The term “linear element” should be understood as a body having a linearextension along one direction in space. The term non-linear elementshould thus be construed as a body having a non-linear extension along anon-linear path.

Other features and advantages of embodiments of the present inventionwill become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of thefollowing drawings, the detailed description, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The inventive concept, some non-limiting embodiments and furtheradvantages of the inventive concept will now be further described withreference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective rear view of a haul truck body of a haul truck,wherein the haul truck body comprises a lining according to embodimentsof the disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows the haul truck body of FIG. 1 highlighting a wedge liningelement according to embodiments of the disclosure, wherein said wedgelining element is a transition lining element of the lining.

FIG. 2A is a perspective front view of the wedge lining element of FIG.2 .

FIG. 3 shows the haul truck body of FIG. 1 highlighting two cornerlining elements according to embodiments of the disclosure, wherein saidcorner lining elements are transition lining elements of the lining.

FIG. 3A is a perspective front view of one of the corner lining elementsof FIG. 3 .

FIG. 3B is a perspective back view of the corner lining element shown inFIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 shows the haul truck body of FIG. 1 highlighting edge liningelements according to embodiments of the disclosure, wherein said edgelining elements are transition lining elements of the lining.

FIG. 4A is a perspective front view of one of the edge lining elementsof FIG. 4 .

FIG. 5 shows the haul truck body of FIG. 1 highlighting edge liningelements according to alternative embodiments of the disclosure, whereinsaid edge lining elements are transition lining elements of the lining.

FIG. 5A is a perspective front view of one of the edge lining elementsof FIG. 5 .

FIG. 6A-D are cross sectional views along a line VI-VI (see FIGS. 2A, 3Aand 4A) of a portion of transition lining elements according to variousexemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 7A-D are cross sectional views along a line VI-VI (see FIGS. 2A, 3Aand 4A) of a portion of transition lining elements according to variousalternative exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a perspective rear view of a haul truck body provided with alining according to alternative embodiments.

FIGS. 9A-E are perspective rear views of a haul truck body illustratinga method of fastening a lining according to embodiments of thedisclosure

FIG. 9A shows the haul truck body of FIG. 1 , wherein two corner liningelements have been fastened.

FIG. 9B shows the haul truck body of FIG. 9A, wherein a wedge liningelement have been added to the corner lining elements.

FIG. 9C shows the haul truck body of FIG. 9B, wherein a plurality ofsubstantially horizontally aligned edge lining elements have been addedto the corner lining elements and the wedge lining element.

FIG. 9D shows the haul truck body of FIG. 9C, wherein a plurality ofsubstantially vertically aligned edge lining elements have been added tothe corner lining elements, the wedge lining element and the pluralityof substantially horizontally aligned edge lining elements.

FIG. 9E shows the haul truck body of FIG. 9D, wherein a plurality ofmain lining elements has been added to the transition lining elements.

FIG. 10 shows an isolated view of one of the non-linear transitionlining elements, a corner lining element, and adjacent main liningelements shown in FIG. 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, preferred embodiments of thelining and transition lining elements will be described in detail withreference to the appended drawings. Embodiments of the transition liningelement of the disclosure is provided in FIGS. 2-5 . The transitionlining elements of the disclosure share common features. Some featuresare shared among all preferred embodiments of the transition liningelement, whereas other features are shared by some of the embodiments.One distinguishing feature is if a transition lining element is linearor nonlinear. A linear transition lining element extends generally alongone dimension. Such a transition lining element is the edge liningelement 400 shown in FIG. 4A or the edge lining element 500 shown inFIG. 5A. A non-linear transition lining element extends generally alonga non-linear path. Such a transition lining element is the wedge liningelement 300 shown in FIG. 2A and the corner lining element 200 shown inFIG. 3A. In the following detailed description of preferred embodiments,each described exemplary embodiment will be referred to with its name.However, all exemplary embodiments are transition lining elements asdefined in the claims. Therefore, this disclosure should not be limitedto the specific form set forth herein. This disclosure is limited onlyby the appended claims and other embodiments than the mentionedhereinbelow are equally possible within the scope of the claims.

FIG. 1 shows a lining 100 for a haul truck body 10. The haul truck 1 istypically an off-highway dump truck engineered for use inhigh-production mining and heavy-duty construction environments. In use,the haul truck 1 will receive, in the haul truck body 10, a load ofmaterial, such as crushed stone, ore or the like, from another machinesuch as an excavator or a wheel loader. The haul truck 1 may then beused to move the load of material to other areas within a working area,for example to a processing facility such as a crusher. The haul truck 1is arranged to swivel the haul truck body 10 around a pivot axis at theend of the haul truck 1, such that the load may be tipped off the haultruck body 10.

To protect the haul truck body 10 from damage due to the heavy materialbeing hauled into, and tipped out from the haul truck body 10, surfacesof the haul truck body 10 is covered with a lining 100. As can be seenin FIG. 1 , the lining 100 is arranged to extend over inner surfaces ofthe haul truck body 10.

Specifically, the lining 100 comprises a plurality of main liningelements 110 arranged to extend over main surfaces of the haul truckbody 10. The lining 100 further comprises a plurality of transitionlining elements 120 arranged to extend over edge and/or corner portionsof the haul truck body 10. Each transition lining element 120 forms alining transition between at least two non-parallel main lining elements110 of the plurality of main lining elements 110. The plurality oftransition lining elements 120 comprises at least one non-lineartransition lining element 200,300 which has a first 211,311 and a second212,312 leg portion extending in non-parallel first 221,321 and second222,322 leg directions, respectively.

The main lining elements 110 form two opposite side linings 105 a,105 b,a front lining 105 c and a bottom lining 105 d,105 e. The lining is thusdivided into separate parts covering separate regions. The transitionlining elements 120 are arranged to connect regions of main liningelements 110. The transition lining elements 120 are disposed at theedges and corners of the haul truck body 10. Thus, the transition liningelements 120 act as a frame forming transitions between adjacentsections of main lining elements 110.

One type of non-linear transition lining element is shown in FIGS. 2 and2A illustrating a wedge lining element 300. FIG. 2 illustrates the wedgelining element 300 within the lining 100 of the haul truck body 10whereas FIG. 2A presents an isolated view of the wedge lining element300. The wedge lining element 300 is a non-linear transition liningelement and thus has a first 311 and a second 312 leg portion extendingin non-parallel first 321 and second 322 leg directions, respectively.

In the lining 100, main lining elements 110 form two opposite sidelinings 105 a,105 b, a front lining 105 c and a bottom lining 105 d,105e. The bottom lining 105 d,105 e presents non-parallel first 105 d andsecond 105 e mutually inclined bottom lining portions, and wherein theat least one non-linear transition lining element comprises a wedgelining element 300 forming a lining transition between three or morenon-parallel main lining elements 110 which are located at a wedge areaof the lining 100 and which form part of the front lining 105 c and thetwo non-parallel bottom lining portions 105 d,105 e. The non-parallelfirst 321 and second 322 leg directions extend in a common planeparallel to the front lining 105 c.

The wedge lining element 300 comprises a main surface 305. The mainsurface 305 is an outwardly directed surface facing the material carriedby the haul truck body 10. The main surface 305 comprises a first mainsurface portion 301 and a second main surface portion 302. The first 301and second 302 main surface portions connect to each other.

The wedge lining element 300 further comprises a central portion 310 anda first 311 and a second 312 leg portion which extend from the centralportion 310 in non-parallel first 321 and second 322 leg directions,respectively.

The first leg portion 311 presents a first end surface 331 which extendstransversely of the first leg direction 321 and connects to the mainsurface 305, and a first pair of non-parallel side surfaces 341 a,341 bwhich extend from the central portion 310 to the first end surface 321and connect to the main surface 305.

The second leg portion 312 presents a second end surface 332 whichextends transversely of the second leg direction 322 and connects to themain surface 305, and a second pair of non-parallel side surfaces 342a,342 b which extend from the central portion 310 to the second endsurface 332 and connect to the main surface 305.

The first main surface portion 301 and the second main surface portion302 present concave surfaces facing an interior of the haul truck body10. The concave surfaces may be substantially cylindrical along arespective main surface portion. The concave surfaces may preventmaterial to stick to the edges of the haul truck body 10, and thus aidsin reducing the carry-back problem.

The wedge lining element 300 forms a transition between three or morenon-parallel main lining elements having different thicknesses at theirinterfaces with the transition lining element. Specifically, the liningtransition is formed between a front lining 105 c and two inclinedbottom lining portions 105 a,105 b. The first 321 and second 322 legdirections define a common plane and a normal of one of the sidesurfaces 341 b of the first leg portion 311 and a normal of one of theside surfaces 342 b of the second leg portion 312 are parallel with thecommon plane.

Thus, the wedge lining element 300 presents corresponding differentthicknesses at the interfaces for providing smooth lining transitions atthe interfaces. The interfaces of the wedge lining element 300corresponds to the non-parallel side surfaces 341 a,341 b,342 a,342 b.

As apparent from FIG. 2A, the non-parallel side surfaces 341 a,341 b ofthe first leg portion 311 and the non-parallel side surfaces 342 a,342 bof the second leg portion 312 connect to the main surface 305 of thetransition lining element at 90 degrees.

Thus, in use of the transition lining element 300, the first 331 andsecond 332 end surfaces are arranged to connect to matching end surfacesof adjacent transition lining elements 120 extending in the first 321and second 322 leg direction, respectively. Such an adjacent transitionlining element 120 is the edge lining element 400 shown in FIG. 4A. Eachone of the non-parallel side surfaces 341 a,341 b,342 a,342 b isarranged to connect to matching surfaces of adjacent main liningelements 110.

In order to match adjacent transition lining elements 120, the wedgelining element 300 is designed such as to allow certain symmetry. Thus,the first end surface 331 of the first leg portion 311 and the secondend surface 332 of the second leg portion 312 have the same dimensions.Furthermore, a cross section of the first leg portion 311 is the same asa cross section of the second leg portion 312, the cross sections beingdefined orthogonally to the first 321 and second leg directions 322,respectively.

The non-parallel side surfaces of at least one of the first 311 andsecond 312 leg portions have mutually different widths W1, W2transversely of the leg direction of the associated leg portion. Thus,the wedge lining element 300 is suitable for forming a smooth transitionbetween main lining elements 110 of a first thickness W1 used on the twoinclined bottom lining portions 105 a,105 b and main lining elements ofa second thickness W2 used on the front lining 105 c and the two opposedside linings 105 a,105 b.

A first side surface 341 a of the first leg portion 311 connects to afirst side surface 342 a of the second leg portion 312; and a secondside surface 341 b of the first leg portion 311 connects to a secondside surface 342 b of the second leg portion 312.

The first leg direction 321 and the second leg direction 322 form anobtuse angle with respect to each other. In the example embodiment, theobtuse angle is 160 degrees.

The wedge lining element 300 further comprises through holes 350 a,350 barranged for allowing fastening of the wedge lining element 300 to asurface of the haul truck body 10. The fastening is achieved by usingthrough bolts or an alternative fastening device penetrating through thethrough holes 350 a,350 b of the wedge lining element 300 extendingfurther into matching through holes of the haul truck body 10. There aretwo rows of through holes, a bottom row 350 b arranged for fastening thewedge lining element 300 to a bottom surface of the haul truck body 10and a top row 350 a arranged for fastening the wedge lining element 300to a side surface of the haul truck body 10.

The wedge lining element 300 comprises an elastic material. In theexample embodiment, the wedge lining element 300 comprises rubber.Alternatively, polyurethane may be used.

The wedge lining element 300 further comprises a structural element 160arranged to reinforce the wedge lining element 300. This is illustratedin FIG. 6A-D showing cross sectional profiles, as viewed along a lineVI-VI shown in FIG. 2A, of the wedge lining element 300 according tofour exemplary embodiments. The structural element 160 is a steelbacking plate completely or partly embedded in the transition liningelement. In the embodiment, the steel backing plate is embedded insidethe wedge lining element 300 by vulcanizing it into the rubber.

FIG. 7A-D shows alternative cross sectional profiles of a wedge liningelement according to alternative exemplary embodiments. FIG. 7A shows anembodiment suitable for fastening on a haul truck body with sharp edges.FIGS. 7B and 7D shows embodiments suitable for fastening on a haul truckbody with 45 degree wedged edges. FIGS. 7C and 7D shows embodimentswhere the main surface has sharp edges instead of a rounded concaveshape.

Another type of non-linear transition lining element is a corner liningelement. FIG. 3 illustrates the corner lining element 200 within thelining 100 of the haul truck body 10 whereas FIGS. 3A and B presentsisolated views of the corner lining element 200. As illustrated in FIG.2 , the corner lining element 200 forms a lining transition betweenthree non-parallel main lining elements 110 located at a corner of thelining 100 and forming part of the one of the two opposite side linings105 a,105 b, the front lining 105 c and the bottom lining 105 d,105 e,respectively.

The corner lining element 200 is a non-linear transition lining elementand thus has a first 211 and a second 212 leg portion extending innon-parallel first 221 and second 222 leg directions, respectively. Inaddition, the corner lining element 200 further presents a third legportion 213 extending in a third leg direction 223 different from thefirst 221 and second 222 leg directions. Thus, each one of the first211, second 212 and third 213 leg portions extends from the corner to anadjacent transition lining element 120 of the plurality of transitionlining elements 120.

The corner lining element 200 comprises a main surface 205. The mainsurface 205 is an outwardly directed surface facing the material carriedby the haul truck body. The main surface 205 comprises a first mainsurface portion 201, a second main surface portion 202 and a third mainsurface portion 203. The first main surface portion 201 and the secondmain surface portion 202 present concave surfaces facing an interior ofthe haul truck body. The concave surfaces may be substantiallycylindrical along a respective main surface portion. The concave surfacemay prevent material to stick to the edges of the haul truck body 10,and thus aids in reducing the carry-back problem.

The main surface 205 has a first planar surface 203, being the thirdmain surface portion 203, which extends over the third leg portion 213and is aligned along the third leg direction 223.

The main surface 205 has a second planar surface 204 which extends overthe central portion 210 and connects to the first planar surface 203.The second planar surface 204 is arranged in an angled position such asto prevent forming a sharp corner on the main surface 205, within whichmaterial have a risk of getting stuck during use of the haul truck body10.

In other words, the corner lining element 200 comprises a centralportion 210 and a first 211 and a second 212 leg portion which extendfrom the central portion 210 in non-parallel first 221 and second 222leg directions, respectively. The corner lining element 200 furthercomprises a third leg portion 213 which extends from the central portion210 in a third leg direction 223, the third leg direction 223 beingnon-parallel with a plane defined by the first 221 and second 222 legdirections.

The corner lining element 200 is arranged to form a lining transitionbetween a front lining 105 c, a side lining 105 a; 105 b and a bottomlining portion 105 d;105 e.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and B, the three leg portions 211,212,213meet one another and join at the central portion 210.

In other words, the first leg portion 211 presents a first end surface231 which extends transversely of the first leg direction 221 andconnects to the main surface 205, and a first pair of non-parallel sidesurfaces 241 a,241 b which extend from the central portion 210 to thefirst end surface 221 and connect to the main surface 205.

Similarly, the second leg portion 212 presents a second end surface 232which extends transversely of the second leg direction 222 and connectsto the main surface 205, and a second pair of non-parallel side surfaces242 a,242 b which extend from the central portion 210 to the second endsurface 232 and connect to the main surface 205.

Similarly, the third leg portion 213 presents a third end surface 233which extends transversely of the third leg direction 223 and connectsto the main surface 205, and a pair of non-parallel side surfaces 243a,243 b which extends from the central portion 210 to the third endsurface 233 and connects to the main surface 205.

As apparent from FIG. 3A, the non-parallel side surfaces 241 a,241 b ofthe first leg portion 211 and the non-parallel side surfaces 242 a,242 bof the second leg portion 212 connect to the main surface 205 of thetransition lining element at 90 degrees.

Each one of the nonlinear transition lining elements, such as the cornerlining elements 200 and the wedge lining element 300, is structured soas to form at least two lining transitions between at least threenon-parallel main lining elements. This is further illustrated in FIG. 1for the corner element 200 and the adjacent main lining elements 110a-f. To increase clarity, FIG. 10 illustrates the same lining elementsin an isolated and enlarged view. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 10 , thefirst leg portion 211 forms a first lining transition L1 between a firstpair 110 a,110 b of non-parallel main lining elements. Similarly, thesecond leg portion 212 forms a second lining transition L2 between asecond pair 110 a,110 c of non-parallel main lining elements. Three mainlining elements 110 a-c of the first pair 110 a,110 b and the secondpair 110 a,110 c of main lining elements are all non-parallel to eachother. As readily realized by the skilled person, the wedge element 300shows the same characteristics. However, the corner lining element 200in FIGS. 1 and 10 further comprises a third leg portion 213. Thus,similarly, the third leg portion 213 forms a third lining transition L3between a third pair 110 b,110 c of non-parallel main lining elements.For the corner lining element 200, the three main lining elements 110a-c of the first 110 a,110 b, second 110 a,110 c and third pairs 110b,110 c of main lining elements are all non-parallel with each other.This implies that each of said pairs of main lining elements may shareone or more specific main lining elements.

In use of the transition lining element 200, the first 231 and second232 end surfaces are arranged to connect to matching end surfaces ofadjacent transition lining elements 120 extending in the first 221 andsecond 222 leg direction, respectively. Such an adjacent transitionlining element 120 is the edge lining element 400 shown in FIG. 4A. Eachone of the non-parallel side surfaces 241 a,241 b,242 a,242 b isarranged to connect to matching surfaces of adjacent main liningelements 110. The third end surface 233 is arranged to connect to amatching end surface of an adjacent transition lining element 120extending in the third leg direction 223. Such an adjacent transitionlining element 120 is the edge lining element 500 shown in FIG. 5A.

In order to match adjacent transition lining elements 120, the cornerlining element 200 is designed such as to allow certain symmetry. Thus,the first end surface 231 of the first leg portion 211 and the secondend surface 232 of the second leg portion 212 have the same dimensions.Furthermore, a cross section of the first leg portion 211 is the same asa cross section of the second leg portion 212, the cross sections beingdefined orthogonally to the first 221 and second leg directions 222,respectively.

The non-parallel side surfaces of at least one of the first 211 andsecond 212 leg portions have mutually different widths W1,W2transversely of the leg direction of the associated leg portion. Thus,the corner lining element 200 is suitable for forming a smoothtransition between main lining elements 110 of a first thickness W1 usedon the two inclined bottom lining portions 105 a,105 b and main liningelements of a second thickness W2 used on the front lining 105 c and thetwo opposed side linings 105 a,105 b.

The first leg direction 221, the second leg direction 222 and the thirdleg direction 223 form angles in relation to each other being within theangle interval 90-110 degrees.

The corner lining element 200 comprises through holes 250 arranged forallowing fastening of the corner lining element 200 to a surface of thehaul truck body 10. The fastening is achieved by using through bolts oran alternative fastening device penetrating through the through holes250 of the corner lining element 200 extending further into matchingthrough holes of the haul truck body 10.

The corner lining element 200 comprises an elastic material. In theexample embodiment, the corner lining element 200 comprises rubber.Alternatively, polyurethane may be used.

The corner lining element 200 further comprises a structural element 160arranged to reinforce the corner lining element 200. This is illustratedin FIG. 6A-D showing cross sectional profiles, as viewed along a lineVI-VI shown in FIG. 2A, of the second leg portion 212 of the cornerlining element 200 according to four exemplary embodiments. Thestructural element 160 is a steel backing plate completely or partlyembedded in the corner lining element 200. In the embodiment, the steelbacking plate is embedded inside the corner lining element 200 byvulcanizing it into the rubber.

FIG. 7A-D shows alternative cross sectional profiles of the second legportion 212 of a corner lining element according to alternativeexemplary embodiments. FIG. 7A shows an embodiment suitable forfastening on a haul truck body with sharp edges. FIGS. 7B and 7D showsembodiments suitable for fastening on a haul truck body with 45 degreewedged edges. FIGS. 7C and 7D shows embodiments where the main surfacehas sharp edges instead of a rounded concave shape.

Another type of transition lining element 120 is a linear transitionlining element. One type of such a linear transition lining element isshown in FIGS. 4 and 4A illustrating an edge lining element 400. FIG. 4illustrates the edge lining element 400 within the lining 100 of thehaul truck body 10 whereas FIG. 4A presents an isolated view of the edgelining element 400.

The edge lining element 400 is intended for use in a lining 100 for ahaul truck body 10. The lining 100 comprising a plurality of main liningelements 110 which in use extend over surfaces of the haul truck body 10and present a thickness transversely to the surface. The edge liningelement 400 is arranged to form a lining transition between adjacentmain lining elements 110 of the lining 100. The edge lining element 400extends along a longitudinal direction 420.

The edge lining element 400 comprises a main surface 405. The mainsurface 405 comprises a concave surface facing an interior of the haultruck body 10. The concave surface may be substantially cylindrical. Theconcave surface may prevent material to stick to the edges of the haultruck body 10, and thus aids in reducing the carry-back problem.

The edge lining element 400 further comprises a first 431 and a second432 end surface disposed at opposing ends of the edge lining element400. The first 431 and second 432 end surface extends transversely ofthe longitudinal direction 420 and connect to the main surface 405.

The edge lining element 400 further comprises a first 440 a and a second440 b side surface which extend between the first 431 and second 432 endsurfaces, respectively, on either side of the main surface 405 andconnecting to the main surface 405. The first side surface 440 a isnon-parallel with the second side surface 440 b. The thickness of thetransition lining element is larger W1 at the first side surface 440 athan at W2 the second side surface 440 b. In other words, thenon-parallel side surfaces 440 a,440 b have mutually different widthsW1,W2 transversely of the longitudinal direction.

In use of the edge lining element 400, the first 431 and second 432 endsurfaces are arranged to connect to matching end surfaces of adjacenttransition lining elements 120 extending in the longitudinal direction420, and each one of the first and second side surfaces being arrangedto connect to matching surfaces of adjacent main lining elements 110. Inother words, the edge lining element 400 is arranged to form a liningtransition between a front lining 105 c and a bottom lining portion 105d,105 e or between a side lining 105 a,105 b and a bottom lining portion105 d,105 e.

The different thickness of the edge lining element 400 at the first sidesurface 440 a and the second side surface 440 b makes the edge liningelement 400 suitable for forming a smooth transition between main liningelements 110 of a first thickness W1 used on the two inclined bottomlining portions 105 a,105 b and main lining elements of a secondthickness W2 used on the front lining 105 c and the two opposed sidelinings 105 a,105 b.

The edge lining element 400 further comprises through holes 450 a,450 barranged for allowing fastening of the edge lining element 400 to asurface of the haul truck body 10. The fastening is achieved by usingthrough bolts or an alternative fastening device penetrating through thethrough holes 450 a,450 b of the edge lining element 400 extendingfurther into matching through holes of the haul truck body 10. There aretwo rows of through holes, a bottom row 450 b arranged for fastening thewedge lining element 400 to a bottom surface of the haul truck body 10and a top row 450 a arranged for fastening the wedge lining element 400to a side surface of the haul truck body 10.

The edge lining element 400 comprises an elastic material. In theembodiment, the elastic material is rubber. Alternatively, the elasticmaterial may be polyurethane.

The edge lining element 400 further comprises a structural element 160arranged to reinforce the edge lining element 400. This is illustratedin FIG. 6A-D showing cross sectional profiles, as viewed along a lineVI-VI shown in FIG. 4A, of the edge lining element 400 according to fourexemplary embodiments. The structural element 160 is a steel backingplate completely or partly embedded in the edge lining element. In theembodiment, the steel backing plate is embedded inside the edge liningelement 400 by vulcanizing it into the rubber.

FIG. 7A-D shows alternative cross sectional profiles of an edge liningelement according to alternative exemplary embodiments. FIG. 7A shows anembodiment suitable for fastening on a haul truck body with sharp edges.FIGS. 7B and 7D shows embodiments suitable for fastening on a haul truckbody with ˜45 degree wedged edges. FIGS. 7C and 7D shows embodimentswhere the main surface has sharp edges instead of a rounded concaveshape.

Another type of linear transition lining element is shown in FIGS. 5 and5A illustrating a planar edge lining element 500. FIG. 5 illustrates theplanar edge lining element 500 within the lining 100 of the haul truckbody 10 whereas FIG. 5A presents an isolated view of the planar edgelining element 500.

The planar edge lining element 500 is similar to the edge lining element400, but differs from the edge lining element 400 in that it issubstantially planar. Another difference is that the non-parallel sidesurfaces 540 a,540 b forms oblique angles with the main surface 505. Forthe embodiment, the oblique angles are ˜45 degrees.

The transition lining elements 120 of the disclosure may be used alsowithout one or more side linings. In such embodiments, at least some ofthe transition lining elements form a lining transition between a bottomlining and at least one side surface of the haul truck body 10′. Inother words, a transition lining element 120, such as a corner liningelement, actually does not have to constitute a transition liningelement 120 between two different main lining elements 110. This isillustrated in FIG. 8 which shows an alternative lining 100′ for a haultruck body 10′.

The lining 100′ comprises a plurality of main lining elements 110arranged to extend over main surfaces of said haul truck body 10′. Themain surfaces comprise a bottom surface 105 d′,105 e′, opposite sidesurfaces 105 a′,105 b′ and a front surface 105 c′. The plurality of mainlining elements 110 form at least a bottom lining 105 d,105 e extendingover said bottom surface 105 d′,105 e′. In the example, the plurality ofmain lining elements 110 forms the bottom lining 105 d,105 e.

The lining 100′ further comprises a plurality of transition liningelements 120 arranged to extend over edge and/or corner portions of thehaul truck body 10′ along the bottom lining 105 d,105 e. As can be seenin FIG. 8 , each transition lining element 120 forms a lining transitionbetween the bottom lining 105 d,105 e and at least one of said sidesurfaces 105 a,105 b and said front surface 105 c of the haul truck body10′.

As illustrated in the example, the haul truck body 10′ may have aprotecting edge 107 extending along the side surfaces 105 a′,105 b′ andthe front surface 105 c′ such as to protect exposed sides of theplurality of transition lining elements 120 from being damaged by thematerial loaded into the haul truck body 10′. The plurality oftransition lining elements 120 comprises at least one non-lineartransition lining element 200′,300 which has a first 211,311 and asecond 212,312 leg portion extending in non-parallel first 221,321 andsecond 222,322 leg directions, respectively.

One kind of transition lining element is the corner lining element 200′.The corner lining element 200′ differs from the corner lining element200 in FIG. 3 in that the corner lining element 200′ has two legportions only.

The lining 100′ shown in FIG. 8 does not have any side linings. In is tobe understood that alternative embodiments of a lining according to thedisclosure may have one or more side linings. For example, a lining mayhave a bottom lining and a front lining but no side linings. In such acase, some transition lining elements 120 may form a lining transitionbetween at least two non-parallel main lining elements 110 and othertransition lining elements 120 may form a lining transition between abottom lining 105 d,105 e and at least one of a side surface 105 a′,105b′ and a front surface 105 c′ of the haul truck body 10′. In otherwords, the plurality of main lining elements 110 extending over thebottom surface 105 d′,105 e′ may be accompanied by a further pluralityof main lining elements 110 extending over at least one of a sidesurface 105 a′,105 b′ and a front surface 105 c′ of the haul truck body10′.

Another example embodiment where a two-legged corner lining element maybe useful is for a haul truck body comprising right-angle vertical edgesin the intersection between the front surface and the side surfaces. Forsuch a geometry, main lining elements may be arranged to meet directlyalong the vertical edge, hence making the third portion unneeded.

The transition lining elements 120, comprising the corner lining element200, the wedge lining element 300 and the edge lining element 400, areintended for a haul truck body. Typical dimensions of such haul truckbodies are 10-15 meters in length. Thus, the transition lining elements120 are of considerable size. An inner radius of the concave mainsurface 205,305,405 of the example embodiments disclosed hereinabove isin the order of 550 mm, the outer radius being around 600 mm. Thethickness W1 at an interface with a main lining element 110 on thebottom surface 105 d,105 e is 150 mm and the thickness W2 at aninterface with a main lining element 110 on a side 105 a,105 b or front105 c surface is 100 mm. A length of an edge lining element 400 may bearound 1.5 meter. The transition lining elements 120 are pressed andvulcanized in presses for rubber plates.

It should be clear from the detailed description that the exemplaryembodiments of the transition lining elements 120 are designed such asto match a specific design of a haul truck body. Thus, the exemplaryembodiments have rounded bottom surfaces to match rounded edge surfaceportions of the haul truck body. Haul truck bodies may be designeddifferently from the haul truck body 10 disclosed herein. For example, ahaul truck body may have angled planar edge surface portions. Asdetailed hereinabove with reference to FIGS. 7A,B and D, the transitionlining elements, as claimed herein, may have different cross sectionssuch as to allow matching a haul truck body of specific design.

A method for assembling a lining 100 for a haul truck body 10 will nowbe described with reference to FIGS. 9A-E. As disclosed hereinabove, thelining 100 comprises a plurality of main lining elements 110 arranged toextend over main surfaces of the haul truck body 10, and a plurality oftransition lining elements 120 arranged to extend over edge and cornerportions of the haul truck body 10. The method comprises a series ofsteps.

One step is positioning a pair of corner lining elements 200, formingpart of the plurality of transition lining elements 120, at a respectivefront side corner of the haul truck body 10 (FIG. 9A).

One step is positioning a wedge lining element 300, forming part of theplurality of transition lining elements 120, at a transition areabetween a front surface 105 c of the haul truck body 10 and two mutuallyinclined bottom surface portions 105 d,105 e of the haul truck body 10(FIG. 9B).

One step is positioning one or more edge lining elements 400, formingpart of the plurality of transition lining elements 120, between thecorner lining elements 200 and the wedge lining element 300, such as toform, together with the wedge lining element 300, a common transitionbetween the pair of corner lining elements 200 (FIG. 9C).

One step is positioning one or more further edge lining elements 400,forming part of the plurality of transition lining elements 120, betweenthe corner lining elements 200 and rear ends of the haul truck body 10(FIG. 9D).

The method further comprises positioning the plurality of main liningelements 110 over main surfaces of the haul truck body 10 (FIG. 9E).

The method further comprises fastening the plurality of main liningelements 110 to the haul truck body 10,

wherein the positioning of the plurality of main lining elements 110 isperformed, in total or in part, after positioning of all the transitionlining elements 120, such as to geometrically constrain the transitionlining elements 120 by the fastened plurality of main lining elements110.

The method further comprises fastening at least some transition liningelements of the plurality of transition lining elements 120 to the haultruck body 10. The fastening is achieved by using through bolts or analternative fastening device penetrating through the through holes250,350 a,350 b,450 a,450 b of the transition lining element extendingfurther into matching through holes of the haul truck body 10.

Two or more from the method steps may be performed in a different orderwith respect to each other than the order of which they are presentedherein, if not explicitly disclosed otherwise.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The embodiment described above and as shown in the figures may be variedin many ways without departing from the scope of the claims.

The length of the leg portions along respective leg direction thereofmay be different. For example, a corner lining element may have a firstportion being longer than a second portion. This is equally valid for awedge lining element

The cross sectional profile of the leg portions may be different fordifferent portions. For example, a corner lining element may have afirst cross sectional profile of the first portion and a second,different, cross sectional profile of the second portion. This may beuseful in situations where main lining elements of different dimensionsare to be used for different surfaces of the haul truck body. Thethickness of the main lining elements may, for example be smaller on theside surfaces than on the front surface.

The corner lining element may have the same cross sectional profile forall three leg portions. The corner lining element may be symmetric. Thiswould allow for using edge lining elements of the same type connectingto all three leg portions of the corner lining element.

1. A lining for a haul truck body, said lining comprising a plurality ofmain lining elements arranged to extend over main surfaces of said haultruck body, and a plurality of transition lining elements arranged toextend over edge and/or corner portions of the haul truck body, eachtransition lining element forming a lining transition betweennon-parallel main lining elements of said plurality of main liningelements; wherein said plurality of transition lining elements comprisesat least one non-linear transition lining element which has a first anda second leg portion extending in non-parallel first and second legdirections, respectively, said first leg portion forming a first liningtransition between a first pair of non-parallel main lining elements,and said second leg portion forming a second lining transition between asecond pair of non-parallel main lining elements; and wherein three mainlining elements of said first pair and said second pair of main liningelements are all non-parallel to each other.
 2. The lining according toclaim 1, wherein said plurality of main lining elements form a bottomlining, a front lining and two opposite side linings, wherein said threenon-parallel main lining elements of the first pair and the second pairof main lining elements are located at a corner of said lining so as toform part of the bottom lining, the front lining and one of the twoopposite side linings, respectively, and wherein said at least onenon-linear transition lining element comprises at least one cornerlining element forming said first and second lining transitions betweensaid three non-parallel main lining elements.
 3. The lining according toclaim 2, wherein said corner lining element further presents a third legportion extending in a third leg direction different from said first andsecond leg directions, wherein the third leg portion forms a thirdlining transition between a third pair of non-parallel main liningelements, wherein three main lining elements of the first, second andthird pairs of main lining elements are all non-parallel with eachother, and wherein each one of said first, second and third leg portionsextends from said corner to an adjacent transition lining element ofsaid plurality of transition lining elements.
 4. The lining according toclaim 1, wherein said plurality of main lining elements form a bottomlining, a front lining and two opposite side linings, said bottom liningpresenting non-parallel first and second mutually inclined bottom liningportions, and wherein said at least one non-linear transition liningelement comprises a wedge lining element forming lining transitionsbetween said three non-parallel main lining elements which are locatedat a wedge area of said lining and which form part of the front lining,the first bottom lining portion and the second bottom lining portion,respectively.
 5. The lining according to claim 1, wherein at least someof said plurality of transition lining elements present a concavesurface facing an interior of the haul truck body.
 6. The liningaccording to claim 1, wherein at least one transition lining element ofsaid plurality of transition lining elements forms a transition betweenat least two non-parallel main lining elements having differentthicknesses at their interfaces with the transition lining element,wherein said at least one transition lining element presentscorresponding different thicknesses at the interfaces for providingsmooth lining transitions at said interfaces.
 7. The lining according toclaim 1, wherein at least some of said plurality of transition liningelements comprise through holes arranged for allowing fastening to asurface of the haul truck body.
 8. The lining according to claim 1,wherein at least some of said plurality of transition lining elementscomprise an elastic material.
 9. The lining according to claim 8,wherein said elastic material comprises rubber or polyurethane.
 10. Thelining according to claim 1, wherein at least some of said plurality oftransition lining elements comprise a structural element arranged toreinforce the transition lining element.
 11. The lining according toclaim 10, wherein said structural element comprises a steel backingplate completely or partly embedded in the transition lining element.12. A lining for a haul truck body having a bottom surface, a frontsurface, and two opposite side surfaces, said lining comprising: aplurality of main lining elements extending over the bottom surface toform a bottom lining extending over said bottom surface); and aplurality of transition lining elements arranged to extend over edgeand/or corner portions of the haul truck body along the bottom lining,wherein each transition lining element forms a transition between thebottom lining and at least one of said side surfaces and said frontsurface of the haul truck body; wherein said plurality of transitionlining elements comprises at least one non-linear transition liningelement which has a first and a second leg portion extending innon-parallel first and second leg directions, respectively, wherein thefirst leg portion forms a first lining transition between the bottomlining and the front surface, and the second leg portion forms a secondlining transition between the bottom lining and an associated one of theside surfaces.
 13. A transition lining element for use in a lining for ahaul truck body, said lining comprising a plurality of main liningelements which in use extend over surfaces of said haul truck body,wherein said transition lining element being arranged to form a liningtransition between adjacent main lining elements of said lining; saidtransition lining element comprising: a main surface; a central portion;a first leg portion and a second leg portion which extend from thecentral portion in non-parallel first and second leg directions,respectively, said first leg portion presenting a first end surfacewhich connects to the main surface, and a first pair of side surfaceswhich extend from the central portion to the first end surface andconnect to the main surface, and said second leg portion presenting asecond end surface which connects to the main surface, and a second pairof side surfaces which extend from the central portion to the second endsurface and connect to the main surface; wherein: said first and secondend surfaces being arranged to connect to matching end surfaces ofadjacent transition lining elements extending in said first and secondleg direction, respectively, and each one of said side surfaces beingarranged to connect to matching surfaces of adjacent main liningelements, said first leg portion being arranged to form a first liningtransition in a first transition direction between a first pair of mainlining elements connecting to said first pair of side surfaces of thefirst leg portion, and said second leg portion being arranged to form asecond lining transition in a second transition direction, differentfrom said first transition direction, between a second pair of mainlining elements connecting to said second pair of side surfaces of thesecond leg portion.
 14. The transition lining element according to claim13, wherein the main surface is at least partly concave.
 15. Thetransition lining element according to claim 13, wherein the sidesurfaces of at least one of said first and second leg portions havemutually different widths transversely of the leg direction of theassociated leg portion.
 16. The transition lining element according toclaim 13, wherein at least some of said side surfaces connect to themain surface of the transition lining element at 90 degrees.
 17. Thetransition lining element according to claim 13, further comprising athird leg portion which extends from the central portion in a third legdirection, said third leg direction being non-parallel with a planedefined by the first and second leg directions; wherein the transitionlining element is a corner lining element arranged to form a liningtransition between a front lining, a side lining and a bottom liningportion; wherein: said third leg portion presents a third end surfacewhich connects to the main surface, and a third pair of side surfaceswhich extends from the central portion to the third end surface andconnects to the main surface, said third end surface being arranged toconnect to a matching end surface of an adjacent transition liningelement extending in said leg third leg direction, said third legportion being arranged to form a third lining transition in a thirdtransition direction, different from said first transition direction andsaid second transition direction, between a third pair of main liningelements connecting to said third pair of side surfaces of the third legportion.
 18. The transition lining element according to claim 13,wherein: the transition lining element is a wedge lining elementarranged to form a lining transition between a front lining and twoinclined bottom lining portions; wherein: a first side surface of saidfirst leg portion connects to a first side surface of said second legportion; and a second side surface of said first leg portion connects toa second side surface of said second leg portion.
 19. A haul truck bodycomprising one from the list of: one or more transition lining elementsaccording to claim
 13. 20. A haul truck comprising the haul truck bodyaccording to claim 19.